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May 26, 2006

Always Remember Them

Shropshire Lad

A E Housman

SHOT? so quick, so clean an ending?
Oh that was right, lad, that was brave:
Yours was not an ill for mending,
’Twas best to take it to the grave.

Oh you had forethought, you could reason, 5
And saw your road and where it led,
And early wise and brave in season
Put the pistol to your head.

Oh soon, and better so than later
After long disgrace and scorn, 10
You shot dead the household traitor,
The soul that should not have been born.

Right you guessed the rising morrow
And scorned to tread the mire you must:
Dust ’s your wages, son of sorrow, 15
But men may come to worse than dust.

Souls undone, undoing others,—
Long time since the tale began.
You would not live to wrong your brothers:
Oh lad, you died as fits a man. 20

Now to your grave shall friend and stranger
With ruth and some with envy come:
Undishonoured, clear of danger,
Clean of guilt, pass hence and home.

Turn safe to rest, no dreams, no waking; 25
And here, man, here ’s the wreath I ’ve made
’Tis not a gift that ’s worth the taking,
But wear it and it will not fade

Posted by Mark Noonan at May 26, 2006 06:29 PM

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Comments

Hey Mark,

I really like the poem,but it's sad,I guess naturally though.

I would say though, if this person were to be talking from a [saved individuals point of view], then rest assured "he has no worries".

Because he would be saying as follows............................

O Death,Where is Your Sting?

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable,and the mortal with immortality,then the saying that is written will come true:"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death is your sting?"

1 corinthians 15:54,55

Posted by: Jeremiah

at May 26, 2006 11:55 PM

Hey Mark:

Just curious. Why did you post this particular poem on Memorial Day weekend?

Posted by: Dean at May 27, 2006 10:53 AM

Dean,

Because I like it - and wrings the heart with pity for young men who die violently...in spite of some peoples beliefs about me, I really am saddened by the death of young men in war...this poem just always seems appropriate when remembering them.

Posted by: Mark Noonan

at May 27, 2006 12:34 PM

Is it me, or is this poem about someone who has committed suicide rather than fight against the enemy? It seems the poet is congratulating a pacificist for blowing his brains out ...

"And saw your road and where it led,
And early wise and brave in season
Put the pistol to your head."

Thats how I read it. Not really appropriate for memorial day if it is.

Maybe I'm wrong ...

Posted by: DPolwarth

at May 27, 2006 06:57 PM